Teen Nearly Drowns off Rehoboth Beach

A teenager is lucky to be alive after she got caught in rough surf early Saturday evening.

A wave crashed over the teen followed by another that pulled her farther into the ocean, says Jillian O’Connor who had been visiting from Ohio. She said she saw the teen struggling and her friend unable to assist so she called 9-1-1 for help. She also alerted a man passing by who was able to make a quick rescue.

Image courtesy WGMD/Alan Henney

After he pulled her safely to shore, EMS personnel arrived and treated her on the beach. She was conscious but exhausted.

Beach patrols from Bethany through Rehoboth had kept swimmers on a “short leash” on Saturday because of rough seas. Rehoboth Beach Patrol had gone off duty at 5:30 p.m.